National Pet Week May 5 - 11

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pet owners love to show their pets affection by showering them with toys, fancy collars and even clothes. In fact, a recent survey indicated dog and cat owners spent $5 billion on gifts for their dogs and cats during the 2012 holiday season. During National Pet Week  May 5 – 11 the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminds pet owners the gift of good health is the best way to show you truly care.  

This year's theme, "Love Your Pet, See Your Vet," reminds pet owners that regular veterinary medical checkups can detect disease early and keep your pet healthy and happy for many years to come. According to the 2012 AVMA U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographic Sourcebook, nearly 90 percent of dog owners and 75 percent of cat owners indicated that routine check-ups and preventive care are either very or somewhat important. However, the same study revealed that from 2006 to 2011, the number households not visiting the veterinarian increased by 8 percent for dog owners and 24 percent for cat owners.

"Regular veterinary visits are important because many times pets will hide symptoms of illness, so you need your veterinarian's skill and expertise to keep your pets healthy," says Dr. Douglas Aspros, president of the AVMA. "Providing pets with regular preventive care is the key to a healthy and long life for your pet, and it can save you hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars by preventing or identifying problems earlier, when they may be easier to treat and less expensive to solve," said Dr. Aspros.

This National Pet Week, the AVMA urges you to talk with your veterinarian about your pet's healthcare and what, if any, special needs your pet might have. The AVMA, your state veterinary medical association and your local veterinarian have tremendous resources for you.

For more information about National Pet week, please visit http://www.petweek.org/. For more information about the AVMA, please visit www.avma.org.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 84,000 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association